Facebook removes fake accounts tied to Iran

Facebook Inc said on Friday it had deleted more accounts originating in Iran that attracted no fewer than one million U.S. and British followers.

It said this was its latest effort to combat disinformation activity on its platform.

Facebook founder: Mark Zukerberg

The social media company removed 82 pages, groups and accounts on Facebook and Instagram that represented themselves as being from American or British citizens, then posted on “politically-charged’’ topics.

Topics such as race relations, opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump and immigration, Facebook’s head of cyber-security policy, Nathaniel Gleicher, said in a blog post.

In total, the removed accounts attracted more than one million followers.

“The Iran-linked posts were amplified through less than 100 dollars in advertising on Facebook and Instagram,’’ Facebook said.

While the accounts originated in Iran, it was unclear if they were linked to the Tehran government, according to Facebook, which shared the information with researchers, other technology companies and the British and U.S. governments.

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